In this episode of Editors on Editing, host Glenn Garland interviews Andy Jurgensen, the editor of Paul Thomas Anderson’s film One Battle After Another. Jurgensen, who has collaborated extensively with Anderson, traces his progression from assistant editor on Inherent Vice to full editor on Licorice Pizza and now One Battle After Another, for which he has been nominated for a Critic’s Choice Award, a BAFTA and Eddie, and an Oscar.

The two discuss the collaborative nature of Anderson’s editing process, allowing the team to inform editing decisions early and subsequently shape shooting strategies later. Jurgensen also discusses Anderson’s clear vision and preference for evolving assemblies rather than large initial cuts, reflecting a highly iterative approach. They also talk through the film’s richly layered characters, highlighting Anderson’s talent for creating morally gray figures whose humanity is deepened through performance and subtle editorial choices. That exploration is something that ended up being reflected in the overall tone of the film itself.

“There’s a lot of downer movies these days,” Jurgensen said. “So I think it’s nice to have a little bit of hope and something uplifting.”

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